We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

I'm giving up meat, as I usually do. But, this year I'm going to mass tonight and will try to prepare myself mentally and spiritually for joining the Catholic Church on Easter.

I'm going to develop the habit of reading the bible every day, something I fell out of years ago.

Giving up meat is going to be tough this year because I just discovered beef noodle Pho and love it. I ate a huge bowl for Mardi Gras. I want to have it for my Easter feast; never did care much for ham.

I am also trying to get ready to convert to the Catholic church at Easter. Still struggling to get to the right place. I am excited to go to Mass tonight and receive the Ashes for the first time in my life.
I should probably give up meat or bread for Lent, but am going to try to give up gossip instead. It is going to be hard! My coworker gives me lots of ammunition, horrifying and hair-raisingly scandalous, but I heard myself repeating it the other day and was ashamed of myself. I have lots of work to do on myself and figure this is a good place to start.
Hello Jack, are they preparing you for Reconciliation/confession?

We haven't talked about that yet. But I'm making a list of things to discuss with Fr. Kastle and that is at the very top. It's the most foreign aspect to me of all the things in the church. I'm more than a little uneasy about it, to be honest.

It is on our study list for the next 3 Sundays. Father told us that it is probably the biggest hurdle for non-Catholics. My husband is a good man and a good Catholic and he hasn't gone to Confession in years! I am not sure if it will become a regular habit for me. I am dreading it. I have been told to pick "the big 3" and I have plenty to pick from. I am the oldest in the class. Most of the others are in their late teens/early twenties, not enough years to commit real sin. We also have a choice of who hears our confession which also complicates the issue I think.

Congrats and welcome home! Even as a cradle Catholic, confession is still tough. I've found that going more often - every 4 - 6 months - and finding a good confessor you're comfortable with is key. It's an important relationship.

I would highly recommend listening to the daily Lenten Podcasts from Fr. Zuhlsdorf. He offers a daily 5 minute hit which covers one of the Station Churches in Rome every day.

http://wdtprs.com/blog/category/podcazt/lentcazt/

I have decided to go on the wagon for Lent, both as a sacrifice but also to help in my efforts to get rid of the extra weight I've gained over the last year or so. I've fallen into the bad habit of having a couple of drinks in the evenings and those extra carbs and sugars are not doing me any good.

I normally give up booze, but I've been on a reducing diet that leaves so little room for alcohol that I thought I'd do something different this year: I'm making an extra effort to go zero tolerance on grudges. That means no indulging in spite or schadenfreude for the duration. No wishing for bad results for other people in any context. It's so much a part of my sour nature that, two days in, my success is already very, very spotty. The effort, however, is good for me and I hope will be good for those around me as well.

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